FTP crowds rolling over into November

[Chad&Janet]

Hi everyone,

For you veterans out there, I would like to hear some speculation on crowds in early November. We are one of those "FTP people," and I don't do good with crowds! We are arriving Oct. 28, leaving Nov. 7th. I just realized by looking around that they extended the dates for FTP into November. My thinking was to catch it just on the tail end so that the numbers would be dying down as November rolls around, so that shoots my tail end theory right out the window.

This will be my 1st Disney trip in 15 years, and my wife's 1st trip in over 20! I don't want crowds to ruin our 1st adult impression of Disney. Am I a spaz or what?

 

[rexmundi]

I had the same thought. Am going Oct. 30 through Nov 6. Still, the crowds will probably be lighter than Sept. and Oct., even if the FTP gets a few more visitors than normal. My kids' school district here has a fall break in the middle of October. many others do the same. I think there are not so many that have a break the first week of November. That's my wishful thinking anyway.

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

We just got back on 8/23. Of course summer is always busy but out of the last 4 - 5 summers this was the WORSE. I think we had rain almost every day, except a few mornings. The ponchos came in quite handy. We used to go early in October and it was always great . We hardly ever had any waits and also the weather was super. I think all you guys will luck out. Im sure its busier with FTP, which i think was the reason this summer was so PACKED. But this is a GREAT time of year to go down there so i bet you will all have a GREAT time. Remember, fast pass is you have to.Just dont worry, have a good trip.

 

[rlduvall]

Actually, the posts I have been reading, and I am very interested because we will be there September 27 through October 1, indicate that it became very, very slow after labor day weekend. In other words, I really don't think FTP affected attendance that much. October has certainly picked up in attendance the last several years because of multiple events going on. I also read that November is busier now because of events in WDW. Again, I don't think FTP has increased attendance significantly into the off-season.


Edited: I just read posts about October attendance and everyone thinks it is going to be packed by looking at resort availability. SOOOO, never mind, lol.

 

[Chad&Janet]

Thanks for the feedback. Rex, will you be going to the MK Halloween party?
I will definitely keep an optimistic outlook; you are right about there not being any school breaks in early November!

 

[mkymouse4ever]

I have to agree, we were there in august also, and it was terrible. Between the rain and the over- crowdedness (is that a word) it real was bad. I half wanted a FTP for my nov 28th trip but after august, I'm kinda happy that we didn't get the offer! It may be busier, but not ftp busy.

MKY Good luck!

 

[disneygeek]

OK. What is FTP?

 

[kellympmo]

We have been in September in 2001 & 2002 and are here right now and it is crazy. We have been here since Sunday and the crowds are so much bigger than we have ever seen. Not sure if this will carry over until Nov. though. Hope not We are not used to dealing with the crowds.

 

[june@imsarc.com]

FTP is Fairy Tale Package. A special Disney ran where if you booked 4 nights, they gave you 3 nights free.

 

[Chad&Janet]

Kelly, NOOOOOOOO. You're scaring me. Is it really that bad? Excuse my ignorance cuz I haven't been in forever. Are we talking even the resorts being crowded, waterparks, etc? or just the 4 major parks?

 

[mkymouse4ever]

everywhere!

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I'm worried too, cause we're booked for November 8th-15th.

However, our neighbor and his family were there Friday, Sept12th-15th and he said the crowds were great, hardly any waiting.

We were at Disney November 2001, just weeks after 9-11, and couldn't get over the huge crowds! This was not Thanksgiving week either, but two weeks before. One would've thought w/fear of traveling, this wouldn't have been the case.

However, in 2002, we were there week before Thanksgiving, and the parks were practically deserted. And we were there at super reduced rates. (No 'package deal' but stayed at GF for 199.00 per night.)

I guess it's just a gamble.

Does anyone have any words of encouragement. I mean, have you ever expected the worse, but been pleasantly surprised?

 

[kellympmo]

Chad & Janet,
Sorry to be the bearer...pretty much everywhere. It is kind of crazy. Blizzrd Beach yesterday wasn't too bad, seemed like in previous years. We have been to MK 3 times and it was pretty nuts. Today was our 4th day in the parks and I think we finally have it down (SHHHH!!)--it's like the summer, avoid the EE park like the plague. MGM was absolutely crazy yesterday. RR was down, TofT had 1 line operating and at like 8:30am the wait was 45 minutes!! We went to MK today (non EE park) and it was a ton better. The waits were manageable. But, it was getting crowded about noon as we were heading out.

 

[staylor]

Even if there are more people than "usual", the majority of them won't have the tips and strategies we have being DISers. So don't worry about it, use all your tips, and most of all have fun!
Staci

 

[DISNEYWORLDBORN2SHOP]

We were there 9/13/02-9/16/02 and this year 9/11/03-0/15/03 and the difference in the crowds was quite noticeable. It still wasn't packed but it just wasn't empty like the year before. The resorts all looked busy to me and went we went to dinner at Chef Mickey's, WOW.

 

[happiest in Disney]

Sorry to say Rex and Chad and Janet but the Schools in NJ have the teachers convention week the first week of Nov. and alot of NJerseans go for that week...they have actually named it Jersey week in Florida... That is one State that has the beginning of Nov. off.
Sorry....

 

[rexmundi]

***Rex, will you be going to the MK Halloween party?***

I've got tickets to MNSSHP on Oct. 30. Been there once before for this and it was fantastic. In years past I have gone the first week in November and crowds have been very light. In thinking more about the effect of the FTP, I think it will not be all that significant because it only applies to people who are booked at a Disney Resort. Even if the Resorts are at capacity as opposed to what they would otherwise be, I don't know that this alone would cause an otherwise light week to become overly busy. Does anyone know what percentage of attendees stay at a Dsiney Resort or what the occupancy rate would typically be without the FTP? It seems like it would take more than just the FTP to make a usually uncrowded time become crowded--the FTP might have more of an effect on already busy times (like the straw that broke the camel's back). Does this make sense?

 

[Chad&Janet]

Absolutely. I like your logic anyway. I'm going to try and take some other ppl's advice on this board, and relax. If I spaz out about the crowds, it will only ruin my trip. Furthermore, I probably don't realize the extent of change at Disney (such as resort expansion, etc.) that allows them to distribute guests more evenly throughout, since I haven't been in ~ 15 years